From: "Marshak, Margo" <mmarshak>
To: "Heafield, Kenneth" <heafield>
Subject: RE: Networking/Cables in Modular Units
Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 12:39:13 -0700

Dear Kenneth,

Thanks for writing.  Please stop by my office to talk in person if you have
time.

Best wishes,
Margo

-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth Heafield [mailto:heafield]
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 5:10 PM
To: Marshak, Margo
Cc: dundas
Subject: Re: Networking/Cables in Modular Units


Salutations,

    Thank you both for your considering our predicament.  I have been
told John Dundas replied but I was not copied.  ITS appears quite
strained on resources at the moment and has absorbed much of the cost of
providing access to Mod 8.  They also do not actively oppose our own
network.  We thank them for that.  The problem is housing, particularly
in e-mails such as the one from Tim Chang quoted below. 

"In my history and experience here, the students (while well-intentioned 
and knowledgeable), do not perform the work needed to specifications 
that are acceptable. I have an obligation to keep the mods in a 
condition that is well maintained and safe. Allowing the 'Kludgenet' to 
exist as it is does not address either of these issues. The cables 
running around present tripping hazards and they do not maintain the 
appearance of the mods that I need to sustain. Simply "duct-taping" the 
cables down does not maintain the appearance of the mods either, making 
this an unacceptable solution."


	Some of the trailers do not have water, the stove plugs do not fit
in the outlets, ants are all over, we have washing machines but no dryers,
and Tim Chang is concerned about appearance?  

	I apologize for not making it clear that the problem is housing.  If
housing wants things to look nice, they should pay for cable or wireless
access points.  

Kenneth Heafield


Marshak, Margo wrote:

>Dear Kenneth,
>
>Thank you for writing.  I have asked John Dundas to reply to your letter.
I
>look forward to his response also.
>
>Sincerely,
>Margo Marshak
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Kenneth Heafield [mailto:heafield]
>Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 3:01 PM
>To: mannion; cjurca at hss.caltech.edu;
>Timothy.Chang; mmarshak
>Cc: Joe Monaly Jr; Adele Shakal; Dabney
>Subject: Networking/Cables in Modular Units
>
>
>Greetings All,
>
>    I am the student to talk to about internet access in the modular
>units.  There is a petition being circulated, written my me, the full
>text of which you may find at the bottom of this email.  Presently there
>is a network of switches and cables providing internet access to most of
>the west complex.  It is ugly and unreliable but it works most of the
>time.  The residents were promised internet access in their rooms when
>they moved in.  They got it because students setup a network, not
>because there was one ready.  ITS says they are waiting on the
>contractor but it will take several, not few, weeks. 
>
>    Currently only Mod 8, the west side multipurpose room, has fiber
>provided by ITS.  ITS has been kind enough to setup a temporary
>network.  This is not an excuse for delaying internet access to rooms. 
>Were trailer 8 to be the only one with internet access, the number of
>people there would likely exceed fire safety requirements.  It is simply
>unacceptable to expect people at a technical school to not have internet
>access in their rooms for several weeks.  There is nothing the Institute
>can do to stop people from obtaining access and without your approval,
>it will be neither safe, reliable, nor pretty. 
>
>    I propose two possible solutions to quickly deliver Internet access
>to all modular units in a safe, more reliable, and less ugly manner:
>
>1. Instead of stretching premade cables to their length limits, we make
>cables to length.  The cables can be strung properly near the tops of
>units.  This will not damage the units.  For this all the Institute
>needs to do is provide a very long spool of Cat 6 cable and clips for
>the ends.  Alternatively, long (~200 ft) cables could be provided but
>ethernet signals degrade with distance. 
>
>2. Wireless routers in each unit.  Instead of cables running everywhere,
>each modular unit has a wireless router.  For those without wireless
>cards, cables are taped to the floor.  For this plan, all the Institute
>needs to provide is a wireless router for each unit.  It should support
>802.11g.  The Linksys WR45G and Cisco access points (used by ITS) are
>sufficiently configurable.  As ITS can attest, we know how to secure
>these access points. 
>
>As to who sets up the network, the students are willing to do it
>ourselves.  Help from ITS staff and the Electric Shop would be greatly
>appreciated. 
> 
>Sincerely,
>
>Kenneth Heafield
>Dabney ITS Representative
>
>
>Here is the text of the petition:
>
>Dear Sir or Madam,
>
>As you may or may not be aware, Internet access is severely limited in
>the modular housing complex.  Thanks to Information Technology Services
>there is temporary access in Unit 8 with a cramped computer lab.
>Students have strung their own cables around the complex.  The wall
>ports do not function and Information Technology Services says it will
>be several weeks before they do.  We depend on Internet access for many
>important tasks.  To name a few,
>
>1. Working on research projects
>2. Receiving notices from Housing
>3. Directory mailings about events around campus
>4. Registering for classes
>5. Communication with parents, many of whom are upset
>
>The situation is not acceptable.  We petition the following:
>1. Funds for Information Technology Services with instructions to
>maximize Internet connectivity in the modular units as soon as possible
>2. Instructing and funding contractors and Campus Planning to do
>everything necessary to assist Information Technology Services
>3. A different contractor for the South Houses renovation networking
>(i.e. not the lowest bidder)
>4. Information on who messed up and why we are being charged for it
>5. Housing, Safety, and Information Technology Services will work with
>students to make the infrastructure safe instead of dismantling it.
>6. In the future, if Internet access is limited, all residents should be
>notified in advance of moving
>
>Signed,
>
>The Modular Housing Residents
>
>
>
>  
>